Apparatus for appendaging hollow dinnerware



w. J. MILLER 2,416,636

APPARATUS FOR APPENDAGING HOLLOW DINNERWARE Feb. 25, 1947.

' Original Fild Jan. 8, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet l NNm SN xlk Feb. 25, 1947. w. J. MILLER 2,416,536

v APPARATUS FOR APPENDAGING HOLLOW DINNERWARE Origin-l Filed Jan. 8, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR.

' MW/fl/WJM/k/f BY 2 W ATTORNY.

Feb. 25, 1947. I I w. J. MILLER 2,416,536

APPARATUS FOR APPENDAGING HOLLOW DINNERWARE Original Fil'ed Jan. 8, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet s I IN VEN TOR.

Feb. 25, 1947. w J. MILLER 2,416,636

APPARATUS FOR APFENDAGING HOLLOW DINNER'WARE Original Filed Jan. 8, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 W7 INVENTOR.

M 546 f ATTORNEY.

Feb. 25, 1947. w. J. MILLER 2,416,635

' APPARATUS FOR APPENDAGING HOLLOW DINNERWARE Origifial F iled Jan. 8, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 7 RM Y 1. m w J v w M. 3. m A J\\- Patented Feb. 25, 1947 DINNERWARE William J. jMi ller, Swissva'le, Pat, 'assi gnor to Miller Pottery Engineering Company, Swiss vale, Pa, a corporation of Pennsylvania Original application January 8, 1943, Serial No.

Divided and this ap lication Decembe! 30, 1944, Serial No. 570559 6 29 Claims.

This application is a divisional of my co-pending application S. N. 471,704, filed January 8, 1943.

This invention relates to apparatus for manufacturing pottery ware. It has to do particularly with the appendaging of ware.

The mass production of pottery ware by automatic machine and processes has involved a certain amount of manual intervention, particularly in the treatment and preparation of raw materials and in certain phases of clay, ware and mold transportation, manipulation and processing.

One of the objects of this invention is to place the manufacture of pottery ware on as near a fully automatic basis as possible all the Way from the raw material stage to that of dried product ready for first firing. By substantially elimi nating the human element in this respect, it is possible to remove handicaps which have heretofore interfered with the continuity, quality and rate of production.

Another and perhaps more important object of this invention is to provide for making simultaneously several different kinds of ware, that is to say, ware having differences in shape, size, decorative pattern or material and even composition by means of a single, unitary mechanical organization. This invention comprehends machinery capable of performing m'any and different steps, and combinations of steps in the manufacture of pottery ware some of which are conventional steps or operations and others of which afford new and improved ways and means of making pottery ware of this class.

The machinery of the present invention is so constructed and arranged that different sequences of operations may be performed at the same-time and variations in the sequences and procedural stepsmay be made at will and in some cases while the machinery is in operation. Thus, insofar as production diversification is concerned, it may be varied from one which is highly diversified to one wherein substantially little or no diversification occurs. Thus, I provide in a single unitary installation the means of meeting the daily requirements of the average pottery whether it be for large or small amounts of pottery of given shape or design audit is well known that these requirements may vary widely, particularly if the pottery merchandizes a large number of shapes and designs.

Instead of the intermittent fabricating system as illustrated in the patent to Miller No. 2,046,525, I propose to make the present system continuous, somewhat as shown in the application toWilliam 2 J. Miller No. 413,734, filed October 6, 1941. That is to say, from the beginning of fabricating operations to the point when the ware is removed from the dryer and therebeyond, the materials will move in continuous fashion whilst the various fabricating operations are performed. This makes for increased production speeds and raises the. capacity of the machinery. Furthermore, clay'is supplied to the fabricating portion of the present mechanical organization by a system and apparatus disclosed in application Serial No. 454,716, filed August 13, 1 942, by William'J. Miller.

In the drawings:

Figs. 1, 2 and '3 taken together to match end to end iii-their order lengthwise from left to right constitute a diagrammatic view in planof the entire'ware production system of the invention. v

Fig. 4 is a view in sectional elevation showing one of the rotary hollow Ware, or cup,.transfer machines in association with an appendaging'machine.

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of one of the ware transferring units of the said transfer machine.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail of the gear and rack assembly seen in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a detail plan section taken on the section line 7-4 of Fig. 5 withpar-ts in-changedposition. 1

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail section taken on the section line 8-8 of Fig. 5.

'Fig. 9 is a general plan section taken substantially on the section line 9-9 of Fig. 4.

Fig. -10'-is asectional detail of cooperating fiatware pick-up and transfer chucks that may be employed for the machine of'Fig. 4.

Fig. llisadetail plan sectionof an intermittent motion gearing connection partly seen in Figure 4, and as substantially taken on line :I I-H of Figure 4.

As illustrated diagrammatically in Figs. 1 to 3, the system includes an endless flexible mold conveyor 51 comprising 'a series of centrally open mold carriers or positioning rings 52 interconnected in equally spaced relation by flexible links or cable sections 53. The conveyor 'ismaintained in a substantially horizontal plane while travelling continuously in a tortuous path about 'idler four types of ware are another method of ware decoration, further condition the treated molds and treat molds, for These-machines are seengobing certain ware; lectively used;

The molds then continue to a series of rotary ti'vely condition the molds, treat molds for a certain method of ware decoration, treat molds for machines 55, B6 and 6? designed to selectively,-

feed clay charges of similar or of different composition or conditioned clay bodies to the molds and puddle and partially form the charges correlatively withrespect to the ware forming surface of the molds prior to feeding. The charge feeding machines may be supplied-froman enclosed clay preparation organization R designed to simultaneously and continuously prepare the various clay bodies desired from the various.

plastic and non-plastic materials requiredand selectively feed same to the machines.

After receiving the charges, the molds continue to a series of rotary machines II to-93, in-

clusive; designed to selectively perform various forming, conditioning and decorating operations to produce the ware as more fully hereinafter.

described. 7 7

The molds then pass through a drier 95 for an optimum period to dry to leather hardness certain ware to be appendaged, such as cups or the like, which are then conveyed out of the drier ata take-01f station E to a rotary machine 96 ,which transfers same from an upright position in the molds to an inverted positionin co-operative relation with an appendaging machine 97, the transfer machine also being designed to fettle and smooth the Ware prior to being transferred.

The molds are then returned into the drier and are conveyed past take-01f stations F and G located along the conveyor course and are brought at predetermined points into cooperative relation, respectively with rotary machines 98 and 99 designed to transfer other types of Ware, each requiring a different drying period, to suitable;

conveying apparatus Hill and IUI arranged to convey the ware to suitable locations for further treatment. These machines are also designed to fettle, smooth and reverse or reposition the ware incident to transferring same, if desired.

Upon leaving the drier, the molds are advanced to a. rotary machine I02 employed to lay the molds or reform thereon partlydried'ware that may have become-slightly distorted during drying and being especially of use as located, in an installation, or an adaptation of the system wherein no type of ware is completely dried in thedryer.

However, if the system is adjusted so that the ware leaving the dryer is too dry for the reforming operation, said machine I02 or number of same may be disposedalong the conveyor course adjacent one or each of the take-off or transfer stations E, G, and F. Y

From the reforming machine I02, the molds continue to another rotary transfer machine I03 co-operating with a conveying system 103a to transfer the, various types of Ware that may remain on the conveyor to any one or a number of selected locations for further treatment, the machine being designed to fettle and smooth the ware and reverse the position thereof if desired.

Upon leaving thetransfer machine I03, the

empty molds are advanced to a rotary machine HM co-operating with a conveying systernIMa to remove anyone or all the moldsof each set and transfer same to a suitable location for storage ;when changing the Jsystemcver to the productionof adifierent type or typesJOfiWare,

placing same in the emptied mold or when damaged or worn molds require replacement for repair.

The next machine I05 along the course of the conveyor is also; of the rotary type designed to co-operate with a conveying system IBM for transferring molds for a certain type or types of ware from one or more storage locations and carriers in any desired order.

v The molds then continue toa rotary conditioning machine 36 designed to remove any foreign matter from'the molds, and then continue to another conditioning machine I01 employed to apply to all the molds, or only those which have just been placed on the conveyor, a conditioning medium, such as oil. The molds then pass through a conditioning zone H38 comprising a tunnel within which the air is suitably heated or otherwise conditioned to dry or otherwise put I the molds in a proper condition as they return 7 to complete anot-hercycle of operation.

Generally, the machines are of the rotary table type, about the tables of which the conveyor meshes'to remain in cooperative relation with each machine during a sufiicient portion of its rotation to perform the various operations on the molds or ware.

As seen in Figs. 2 and 3, a power unit I09, such as a combination motor and adjustable speed reduce'r is employed to constantly drive the machines and mold conveyor through a power shaft Ifl9a and suitable gearing EH91) co-operating between same and the rotary .machines 13, BI and 93 which thus serve as driving connections for theconveyor at spaced intervalstherealong and whereby the conveyor in turn serves as a driven connection'forthe rotary machines with which it meshes'between said in--, tervals.' It is also contemplated that the conveyor and any number or all of the'said rotary machines and idlers defining its course may be independently or collectively driven intimed relation.

While the appendaging machine may have for its purpose the application of any form of appendages on certain ware, or diversified ware, in the present case its purpose is to. cast handleslon hollow ware shapes, particularly cups, while same are carried through themachine-in an inverted position on conveying means. Therefore, the transfer machine has been designed to invert the cup shapes as it transfers same from the mold conveyorto the conveying means of the appendaging'machine, and to accommodate any number of cups that may be contained in eachv successive set of four molds on thev mold conveyor. To this end ('see Fig. 5) the transfer machine includes a pedestal 5 I4 supporting a stationary hollow central shaft" 5I5 on which rotates a table SIB havingin its periphery 7 .over a pocket'and having a stem 526a upon which detachably'mounted a vacuum cupfpiclgup in synchronism,

chuck 52! (seeFig. 8). Disposed abovethe supporting heads 526 are vacuum cup 1transf'er chucks 528 carried on the'bottom ends of upright stems 529 mounted for vertical adjustment in bearings 33!? of outwardly extended arm's 53l of the upper crossheads.

In that there is only one cup to be transferred from one of each set of four molds on the conveyor, as illustrated; only one transfer unit of the machine would be in operation while the rest are rendered inoperative. i

As each cup mold is carried about the table (Fig. 9), the lower crosshead thereover is reciprocated below and above a starting position, and

during the intermediate portion of its stroke above said position, its shaft 525 is oscillated 180 degrees, whereby the pick-up chuck will pick up the cup in the mold at the table station A (Figs. -9), invert it, then place same in the transfer chuck thereabove at the table station B, and then lower to its starting position depending from said shaft at the table station C. As the empty cup mold leaves the table from its, station 0, the lower crosshead dwells at its starting position, the upper crosshead 521 is lowered, and the transfer chuck 528 caused to discharge the cup over a positioning form of the conveying means of the appendaging machine 5'! at the table sta tion C.

Each lower crosshead 522 is reciprocated by a fluid-pressure motor 532 supported on the table with the piston rod 533 thereof connected at its top end with a lug 534 on the head and having thereon adjustable stops 535 co-operating with end bearings of the motor cylinder to regulate the limits of movement of the head. Each fluid the motor cylinders to regulate the limits of I 6 fluid motors 569 arranged on the supporting drum 5!!! with their piston rods 56! connected at their bottom ends with lugs 562 on the upper crossheads 52!. On the piston rods 56I are adjustable stops 553 for engagement with the end-s of movement of the transfer chucks. The fluid motors 550 are energized at the proper time by 1 uumized and vented to hold thecups and release motor 532 is energized at the proper time from a fluid pressure line 535, by way of a distributor 53'! on the central shaft, and a four-way valve 538 operated by arms 539 on said shaft and connected with the ends of the motor cylinder through conduits 545. When each lower crosshead is lowered by its motor from its uppermost limit, it is caused to dwell at its intermediate starting position by a stationary cam dwell segment 543 arranged on the central shaft and engaged by a roller 544 on the lug 534 of the crosshead.

During the intermediate portion of the stroke of each lower crosshead, its shaft 524 isoscillated to reverse the pick-up chuck 525, by an upright rack 545 (Figs. 5, 6, 9) on the drum c0- operating with a mutilated gear segment 546 on a shaft 54'] carried by the crosshead and driving the former shaft through bevel gears 548. For holding the pick-up chuck in reversed positions during final upward and downward movements of the crosshead, at the ends of the rack 545 are guide bars 549 for co-operating with opformed in the crosshead, the supportinghead 526 and stem 526a thereof respectively (see Fig. 7). L

The transfer chucks are raised to receive the cups at the table station A and then lowered to discharge same at the station B, by means of same, by being connected with the vacuum line 553 and then opened to atmosphere through a distributor valve 565 and flexible conduits -56! connecting with central passages in the stems 529 of the chucks.

Associated with each pick-up chuck 527 is a device 521a which, as a cup'is picked up by the chuck, smooths or rounds off the upper edge of the cup (see Fig. 8). This device may comprise a wheel rotatably mounted on the stem 52 to carrying the chuck and having a concentric rounded groove 521a detachably mounted on the wheel and interposed in said groove to round the edge of the cup as the wheel is rotated. The wheel may be yieldably held on the stem 526ainlongitudinally adjusted operating position by means of a hollow adjusting screw 5216 threadedin a bearing 5211 of the supporting head and resiliently connected with the wheel through a bolt 521g extending therethrough having a yoke and groove connection 52lh with the hub of the wheel, and a coiled spring 521i held under com pression on the bolt between the screw and the yoke connection by a nut 52' for regulating the amount of compression of the spring.

The wheel 527a may be rotated as the-chuck 521 is picking up a cup and for an optimum period thereafter, by'an electric motor 521k carried on the support head 526 and driving the wheel through a pulley and belt drive connection, or by having afriction drive pulley 52lmion its shaft 'indriving engagement with the edge of the wheel. Each of the motors may be energized at the proper time from suitable power lines, by Way of a drum type distributor 52in on each sup: porting head 525 and a suitable combination distributor and switch 5270 on the central shaft, as seen in Figs. 4 and 7.

The appendaging machine is somewhat characteristic of the casting machine forming the subject matter of my co-pending application, SerialNo. 392,276, filed May'7, 1941. Said machine includes an elongated frame 5'15 having a pedestal 5H atone end supporting a rotating upright shaft 512 on which is a drive sprocket 513 supporting one end of an endless sprocket chain conveyor 514 whose other end is supported on an idler sprocket 575 at the other end of the frame. (See Figs. 3, 4 and 9).

.On the conveyor-chaint5l4 are a series of equally spaced apart carriers 575 having side rollers 51! travelling on rails 518' to support and position the carriers 'as they travel with the chain. On each carrier is a. two-part handle slip cast ing. mold 519 and a positioning form 580 to position a, cup in co-operative relation with the casting mold in casting a handle on the cup, with each mold having a well and sprue 58! to receive the clay in slip'form.

The conveyor chain 514 is intermittently driven and arranged that upon each movement thereof, a carrier is caused to travel about the axis of the transfer" machine 96' in register below a transfer *7 chuck 528, whereby a cup discharged from the chuck will be deposited on the positioning form 586 of'the carrier at the station D of said machine. The carriers are caused to travel about the axis of the transfer machine .by the conceiveware from that number of transfer units that may be functioning.

veyor 514 being accordingly deflected in its path 4 charges same with slip clay. The feeder head- 586 isthen raised off the mold as the carrier leaves the sprocket and continues through a tun.-

nel 581 with controlled atmosphere, where the handle casting in the mold is suitablyhardened and united with the cup. 7

. As the carriers 51% return from the to the station D of the transfer machine, the molds are temporarily automatically opened at a takeoff station T (Fig. 3), to permit the removal of the handled cups therefrom, and then continue in open position through a tunnel 581a within which the molding surfaces of the molds are conditioned before being closed preparatory to another cycle of operation.

Each feeder head 586 comprises an upright pipe loosely received in a bearing 588 of a bracket 559 on the shaft 512, and being pivoted to a lever 59B co-operating with a stationary cam 55I to raise the pipe and control lowering speed of same onto .a casting mold. At the top end of the pipe is a bearing'594 supporting a valve rod 595 which, after the pipe is lowered, opens a poppet valve 596 at the bottom end of the pipe to permit discharge ofthe clay slip therefrom. Upon final downward movement of the pipe, the valve rod is stopped from movement therewith toopen the valve, bya lever 591 pivotally connected with the rod and co-operating with a stationary cam 598.

On the top end of the shaft 512 is a central supply tank 599 from which the clay slip is sup- 1 plied to the pipes 586 by way of flexible con- 4K5 duits 600. g V V The top of the tank is covered by a stationary cover plate 68! from which continues a conduit 602 opening into the tank and communicating with the clay supply lines 68 of the clay preparation system R by way of valved branches 6B3 theheaders 38 of said system, with the desired type of clay slip suitable for the casting of the handles. The clay slip may be maintained at a constant level in the tankby means of a float 605 controlling the opening and closing of a poppet valve 606 in the outlet of the'conduit 602 through a lever and link connection'6ll1, as seen vided for attachment to said wheel in like order, by bolts 6l6, a gear segment 6l1 (Fig. 9) for. intermittently meshing with a gear SIB secured on the shaft 512' of the appendaging machine, whereby upon one complete rotation. of the table, the conveyor will be so intermittently advanced as to cause the carriers thereon to successively re- For each transfer unit that is functioning, there is jpro-r thereof (Fig. 2). and a header 604, wherebythe tank may be selectively supplied from any one of i For each transfer unit that is not functioning, there is provided for attachment to said wheel in like order, by bolts 6N, a concentric cam dwell segment 626 for co-operating within correlatively formed pockets 62l in the periphery of. a star wheel 622 attached to the side of the gear 6H3.

for holding the conveyor 514 stationary between movements thereof.

As shown, the carriers 516 are spaced at intervals on the conveyor chain 514 less than the distance between the transfer units about the axis of the transfer table so that a maximum number of the carriers may be employed- To compensate for this difference, while at the same time permitting successive carriers to travel in .unison with the transfer units, on the wheel 614 are secured at equally spaced intervals thereabout four permanent cam dwell segments 623 between which the detachable camrdwell segments 520 form extensions thereof. 1

Iclaim:

1. Apparatus for manufacturing hollow dinnerware and the like comprising, a movable support for carrying formed ware to a transfer zone, means for appendaging ware including a movable ware support for carrying formed ware through an appendaging zone and mechanism in said transfer zone movable with both supports formed for removing ware from the first support and inverting the ware and depositing the Ware on said second support.

2. Apparatus for manufacturing hollow dinnerware and the like comprising, a traveling support for carrying formed ware to a transfer zone, traveling means for appendaging ware including a ware support for carrying formed Ware through an appendaging zone and traveling transfer mechanism movable with both supports formed for removing ware from the first support and depositing'the ware on said second support.

3. Apparatus for manufacturing hollow dinnerwareand the like comprising, a movable support for carrying formed ware to a transfer zone, means for appendaging ware including a ware support for carrying formed ware through an appendaging zone and an angularly movable ware transfer means in said transfer. zone movable with both supports for removing ware from the first support and depositing the ware in inverted position on said second support.

4. Apparatus for manufacturing hollow dinnerware and the like comprising, a movable support for carrying formed ware to a transfer zone,

means for appendaging ware including aware I support for carrying formed ware through an appendaging zone and means in said transfer zone movable with one support and then the other formed for removing ware from the first support, finishing a surface of the ware and de positing the ware in inverted position on said second support. 5. Apparatus for manufacturing hollow dinnerware and the like comprising, a traveling support for carrying formed ware to a transfer zone, means for appendaging ware including a traveling ware support for carrying formed :ware through an appendaging zone, and a traveling ware transfer means in said transfer zone movable with both supports for removing ware from the first support, and depositing the ware on said second support including means for finishing a surfacenerware and the like comprising, a movable support for carryingformed ware, means for ap-' pendaging ware including a support for carrying formedware through an appendaging zone, and ware transfer mechanism supported to move with said supports and to transfer ware therebetween Whilst in motion. r

7. Apparatus for. manufacturing. hollow dinnerware, and the like comprising, a support for carrying formed ware to a transfer zonameans for appendaging ware including a support for carrying ware throughan appendaging zone and an angularly movable ware transfer means in said transfer zone having ware transfer members arranged to co-operate with each other and to travel with said first named supportfor removing ware therefrom and to travel with said second named support for depositing ware on said second named support. r

8. Apparatus for manufacturing hollow dinnerware and the like comprising, a support for carrying formed ware to a transfer-zone, ap-

pendaging means including a ware support for carrying formed ware through an appendaging zone, means in said transfer zone formed for removing warefrom the first support and depositing the same on said second support and means for moving said supports and transfer mechanism in timed relation.

9. Apparatus for manufacturing hollow dinnerware and the like comprising, a traveling support for carrying formed ware to a transfer zone, an appendaging means including a support for carrying formed ware through an appendaging zone and an angularly movable Ware transfer mechanism rotating continuously about an axis for removing ware directly from the first support and carrying the ware to and depositing the same on the second support.

10. Apparatus for manufacturing hollow dinerware and the like comprising, a traveling support for carrying formed ware to a transfer zone,

appendaging means including a support for carry- 7 ing formed ware through an appendaging zone and angularly movable transfer mechanism rotatable about an axis arranged to lift ware from the first support, invert the .ware and dc posit the same in inverted position on said second support. 1

11. Apparatus for manufacturing hollow dinnerware and the like comprising, an endless conveyor having supports for carrying ware to a transfer zone, an endless conveyor having supports for carrying ware through an appendaging zone, ware transfer means for removing were from the first named support and depositing the same on said second named support and clay feeding mechanism incsaid appendaging zone arranged to move with said second named sup ports and supply clay for the appendaging op-' eration.

12. Apparatus for manufacturing hollow dinnerware and the like comprising, an endless conveyor having supports for carrying ware to a transfer zone, an endless conveyor including sup ports for carrying formed ware through an appendaging zone and molding means for forming appendages, ware transfer means arranged to remove Ware from the supports of the firstcorn veyor and deposit ware on the supports of the second conveyor and an angularly movable discharge nozzle arranged to travel with and supply clay to the molds associated with said second named supports.

13. Apparatus for manufacturing hollow dinnerware and the like comprising, an endless conveyor having supports for carrying ware to a transfer zone, a track for supporting said sup-,

ports in said zone, an endless conveyor having supports for'carryingmolds through an appendaging zone, a track for supporting said last named supports in said appendaging .zone, transfer mechanism for removing. ware from the first named supports and depositing the warenonsaid second named supports and claysupplying means in said appendaging zone for feeding clay from which appendages are made and attachedto the ware. J; m i

14. Apparatus nerware and the like comprising, an endless conveyor having a support for carrying formed ware to a transfer zone, an endless conveyor for transporting, appenda'ging means including a support for formed ware and a partible mold through an appendaging zone, means for transferring .ware from the first named support to the second named support, means for feeding clay in said fer member for receiving ware from the first transfer member and depositing the warein inverted position on the second named support.

16. Apparatus for manufacturing hollow dinnerware and the likecomprising, a conveyor having supports for carrying formed ware, an endless conveyor for carrying mold supportsthrough an appendaging zone, a continuously moving,

rotatable ware transfer mechanism formed for removing ware from the supports of one of said conveyors and carrying the same to and deposit ingthe same on the ware supports of the other conveyor.

17. Apparatus for-manufacturing hollow dinnerware and the like comprising, an endless conveyor having supports for carrying formed ware through a transfer zone, an endless conveyor for carrying ware'supports' through an appendaging zone, angularly movable means for supplying clay' from which appendages are fashioned in said Ware to and'depositing theware on said secondsupport. V 7

18. Apparatus for manufacturing hollow dinnerware and the like comprising, a mold'con'veyor formed for carrying molds with ware thereon to a-ware transfer zone, a conveyor for transporting appendaging means having ware supports through "an app'endaging zone, ware transfer mechanism forremoving formed ware from the molds of themold conveyor; and carrying the ware I to and depositing the ware on the supports of the second conveyor and a nozzle movable with said second named conveyor through which clay from which appendages are formed is supplied to said appendaging means.

19. Apparatus for manufacturing hollow dinfor' manufacturing hollow din nerware and the like comprising, an endless con veyor having supports for carrying ware to a' and carrying the same .to and depositing. ware transfer zone, an endless conveyor having ware 1 supportsfor carrying ware through an appendaging zone, arotatable ware'transfer member for removing ware from the first named support on said secondnamed supports, a rotatable clay feeder in said appendaging zone and drive mechanismi for. movingsai'd conveyors and rotating. 1 said ware transferring and clay feeding means.

20. Apparatus for. manufacturing hollow din- 1 nerware and the like comprising, an endless conveyor having supports for carrying molds to a transferzone, an endless conveyor having appendaging means including ware supports for carrying ware through an appendaging zone, a 3 rotatable ware transferring means in said transn fer zonefor removing ware from the first support,

inverting the same and finishing a surface thereof and depositing the ware on the supports of I the appendaging means, rotatable clay feeder in the appendaging zone for supplying clay' to i the appendaging means, and drive means for moving said conveyors and rotating said transfer means and said clay feeding means.

21. Dinnerware manufacturing apparatus in-- cluding, a turntablehaving peripheral recesses,

a mold conveyor provided with ring shaped mold seats engageable in the recesses, a ware append- 3 aging conveyor operating at anotherlevel relative to the mold conveyor but located adjacent 1 and ware supports carried by said Ware conveyor,

3 a ware transfer means mounted above each recess and movable therewith; means for moving said turntable, conveyors and: ware transfer means and means for operating said transfer means 3 during such movement to lift ware from the molds and deposit the same 'on the ware supports of i the ware appendaging .conveyor.

22. Dinnerware manufacturing apparatus com- 1 prising,a'conveyor having a plurality of ware supports and associated appendaging means attached thereto, a turntable. adjacent said conveyor, a mold conveyor adjacent said turntable,

1 means for driving, said conveyors and turntable continuously, a ware pickup means rotating with said turntable and means for operating said ware pickup means to remove ware from the mold con- 1 veyor and place the same on the ware supports of the other conveyor.

23. Dinnerware manufacturing machinery comprising, a moving support for carrying ware 3 through an appendaging zone, means for ap- 3 pendaging ware in said zone, a continuously movthereto. and to the turntable, appendaging means said conveyor for picking up ware from the con-' veyor and transferring the same to the support.

25. Dinnerware manufacturing machinery including, a movableappendage casting means arranged to travel in an endless path through an appendaging zone, a ware pick up member continuously rotatable about an axis and movable into and out of vertical register with said casting means, a ware conveyor adjacent said ware pick up member and movable about the axis and means for operating said ware pick up means to lift ware from the conveyor when traveling about the axis ,and transfer the ware to the casting means.

26. Apparatus for making appendaged dinnerware comprising, an appendaging machine, a mold conveyor for carrying ware to said machine, a continuously rotating ware transfer operating between the appendaging machine and the mold conveyor, a common drive for the machine, conveyor and transfer and means for moving the transfer up and down over the appendaging machine and mold conveyor to lift ware from the. ,mold' conveyor and place it on the appendaging machine. 7

27. Apparatus for manufacturing hollow dinnerware and the like comprising, support for carrying formed ware to a transfer zone, auto matically operable means for appendaging ware including ware supports for carrying formed ware through an appendaging zone, automatically operable transfer means in said transfer zone constructed and arranged for removing ware from the first support and inverting the ware and depositing the ware on said second support and means for moving the transfer means with both supports.

28. Apparatus for manufacturing hollow din-*- nerware and the like comprising, traveling supports for carrying formed ware to a transfer-zone,

automatically operable means for appendaging ware including ware supports for carrying formed ware through an appendaging zone, automatiing ware conveyor for transporting ware to said 24. Dinnerware manufacturing machinery including, a moving support for carrying ware ithrough an appendaging zone, means, movable 2 with said support for appendaging ware in said .zone,;a continuously moving ware conveyor for transporting ware to a transfer point and a continuously; moving ware-transfer having ware 1 transfer members moving with said support and zone andware pickup means arranged to travel I first with the ware conveyor and then with-one 1 of the supports for transferring ware therebetween.

through an appendaging zone, automatically operable, angularly movable, ware transfer means in said transfer zone for removing ware from the first support and depositing the ware in inverted position on said second support and means for moving the transfer means with both supports. WILLIAM J. MILLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: V

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Miller Sept. 8, 1942 

